Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Permian Basin Fair & Exposition
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015
1. Permian Basin Fair & Exposition Marker
Inscription.
Permian Basin Fair and Exposition. . Founded in 1976 as the Ector County Fair, concept sprang from previous year's fun-of-a-gun activities held during local observance of U.S. Bicentennial. Fair's early years drew contestants to chili cook-offs, cow chip tossings and an annual beauty pageant. A 1977 attempt to recreate Odessa's notorious Jackrabbit Roping of 1932 was cancelled after protests resulted in national publicity. The fair's title changed in 1978 to reflect regional area. Since 1997, annual nine-day event presents business booths, creative arts, entertainment, farming and ranching, midway, school tours, and scholarships. Over a million visitors from 60 counties have enjoyed the fair's 25-years of family fun.
Founded in 1976 as the Ector County Fair, concept sprang from previous year's fun-of-a-gun activities held during local observance of U.S. Bicentennial. Fair's early years drew contestants to chili cook-offs, cow chip tossings and an annual beauty pageant. A 1977 attempt to recreate Odessa's notorious Jackrabbit Roping of 1932 was cancelled after protests resulted in national publicity. The fair's title changed in 1978 to reflect regional area. Since 1997, annual nine-day event presents business booths, creative arts, entertainment, farming and ranching, midway, school tours, and scholarships. Over a million visitors from 60 counties have enjoyed the fair's 25-years of family fun.
Erected 2000 by Heritage of Odessa Foundation. (Marker Number 43.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.
Location. 31° 53.01′ N, 102° 23.257′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 385. Marker is just west of the south entrance to the Ector County Coliseum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4201 Andrews Highway, Odessa TX 79762, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Permian Basin Oil Show (here, next to this marker); The Permian Basin (here,
The Permian Basin Fair & Exposition Marker is at the far left.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
